Gas valve



lMan-ch 25, 1952 v. c. PETERSON GAS VALVE Filed June 2l, 1945 Patented Mar. 25, 1952 GAS VALVE Vincent C. Peterson, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Harper-Wyman Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application June 21, 1945, SerialJ No. 600,795

12 Claims.

The present invention pertains to gas valves and particularly to gas valves of the type operable to different positions to supply diierent amounts of gas to gas burners and the like, and on? type .of which is commonly called a high'low va ve.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a gas valve having new and improved means accessible through the valve stem for adjusting the flow of gas in one, and preferably the low, position of the valve.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved non-leaking stem adjustment plural position valve which can be manufactured readily and economically on a mass production basis as a unit vfor insertion into a valve stem andhaving a highly effective, and easily made gas seal for preventing the leakage of gas through the stem.

"A further object of the present invention is the provision .of a new and improved gas valve of the character aforesaid wherein the stem adjustment means may be 'inserted into the stem in any angular position, whereby assembly `of the valve is greatly facilitated.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description thereof., in the .course of which reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an axial cross-sectional view through a valve constructed in accordance with the present invention, the valve operating handle being omitted for the sake of simplicity;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse cross-fsectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig, 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged :fragmentary axial crosssectional view similar to Fig.. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a further enlarged transverse crosssectional View taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

The present invention has been illustrated in conjunction with a plural position gas valve ID of the type commonly called a high-low valve. The valve includes a rotatable tapered valve plug I2 movable from an oi position, wherein no gas flows through the valve, to high and low positions wherein different quantities of gas ilow to the burner. In the high position a larger quantity of gas lic-ws to the `burner and in the 'low position a smaller quantity of gas flows to the burner.

Gas valves are ,installed in different localities Vhaving different typesoi gas as well as supplies available only at different pressures. These ,difvferences do not materially affect the operation 2 of the valve or of its associated burner when the valve is in its high position, but difliculties may be encountered when the valve isoperated to its low position. This makes it desirable that some means be provided for adjusting the quan.-

tity of gas which ows through the valve to the burner in the low position. It is desirable that the adjustment means be simple, eicient, inf expensive, and readily accessible even after the valve has been assembled in the stove or the like with which it is intended to be used. Additionally, it is essential that there be no leakage of gas past the stem adjustment means and through the handle. All of these requirements are fulfilled by the low adjustment means of the pres-.- ent invention, which will now be described in de.- tail.

The gas valve includes the previously mentioned rotatable plug I2 and a valve body 1,4 within which the plug is mounted in conven-A tional rnanner. Gas is supplied to the valve from a suitable source of gas through a manifold IB and regulated quantities of gas are supplied to a burner, not shown, which is connected to the valve through a mixing tube I8, whichv may be of conventional construction. The gas valve includes an outlet passageway 20 communicating with an outlet chamber 22 from which gas flows into the mixing tube through a hood 24 having an orice 26. The hood is adjustable, in order that the effective area of the orifice may be varied, as is conventional in gas valves.

The gas valve includes an inlet passageway 3 0 providing communication from within the manifold I6 to a tapered bore or passageway 3 2 within which the tapered inner portion 34 of the valve plug is rotatably mounted. The valve plug is held in place by a spring 36 bearing `against the portion 34 and an end cap 38 detachably secured to the valve body. A plural element position indicating and determining mechanism 40 is located between the spring and the cap. It forms no part of the present invention and may take various forms.

The valve plug includes an axial outlet passageway" 42 communicating with the outlet `chamber 22 and with a radial passageway 44 leading to the .exterior of the plug so constructed and arranged that when the plug is turned into an angular position such that theV passageways of the plug thereby to control the effective size of the passageway 44.

In the low position of the valve a smaller and preadjusted quantity of gas is supplied to thel burner through the low adjustment means constituting the primary feature of the present invention, and which is an improvement over the means disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Philip S. Harper, Serial No. 576,673, filed February 7, 1945, and assigned to the assignee ofthis application. This means includes an auxiliary valve indicated as a whole by reference character 50 and comprising an adjustable member 52 rotatable to regulate the eifective area of a passageway interconnecting the inlet passageway 3u and the axial outlet passageway 42 in the low position of the valve. In this position gas flows from the inlet passageway 30 to the axial passageway 42 through the generally radial passageways 54 and 55 in the portion 34 of the valve plug to a reduced diameter axial bore 58 located intermediate the axial passageway 42 and a still further reduced opening 60. l1A`he opening B communicates with a still further reduced diameter passageway 62 extending through the valve stem 64 and through which access is had to the stem adjustment means (upon removal of the usual handle, which has notvbeen shown) for adjusting the quantity 'of gas supplied to the burner in the low positionl of the valve. 'Y

From the passageway 58, or more particularly from an annular groove 58 in a sleeve or insert 10, xedly secured in passageway 58 and forming part of the stem adjustment means, the gas ows through a pair of openings 'l2` and 14 into an axial passageway "i6 communicating with the axial passageway 42 in the valve plug. The passageway 12 is in the insert 'l0 while they passageways 14 and '16 are radially and axially disposed in the rotatably adjustable valve member 52. The rotatable valve member 52 is mounted within an axial passageway 'i8 extending through the insert 10 and which passageway is machined to close tolerances to prevent the leakage of gas therebetween and the outside of the rotatable valve member.

The insert '1G is secured within the valve plug as by a press it, the passageway 58 being reamed to. a close dimensional tolerance better to receive the insert. The annular groove 68 is located intermediate the ends of a larger diameter portion of the insert l5 to provide adequate sealing surfaces preventing the gas from escaping along its exterior. The inner end of the large diameter portion is tapered as indicated by reference character 85.1 to facilitate insertion of the insert within the passageway 58, Assembly of the stem adjustment means is further facilitated by the fact that proper insertion is indicated and determined by the abutment of the large diameter end of insert F0 against the shoulder 82 located at the junction of passageways 58 and G5 in the valve stem.

In accordance with one of theV primary features of the present invention, a readily made and efficient gas seal is provided to prevent the escape of gas through the valve stem. The arrangement of the present invention includes a thin-walled extension S4 of the insert, a portion of which is adapted to be deformed as by rolling, inwardly into an annular rounded groove 86 in the rotatable valve member 52 as indicated by reference character 83. l

The valve member 55 is provided at its outer end with a slot 90 in an enlarged head 92 for the reception of a screwdriver or the like whereby it may be turned for adjustment purposes. The enlarged head, it may be noted, facilitates assembly of the insert and valve because it positions the two parts relative to each other.

The adjustment of the quantity of gas flowing through the gas valve in the low position of the valve is eiected by turning the valve member 52, thereby to regulate the effective size of an orifice formed by the positional relationship of the passageways l2 and 'J4 in the insert 'l0 and rotatable valve member 52 respectively. It might be mentioned that it is preferred that the seal be made before the ports 'l2 and 14 are drilled. If desired, some lubricant such as graphite grease may beinterposed in the groove 85 to facilitate turning and to enhance the seal.

From the foregoing detailed description of the present invention, it may be noted that the stem adjustment means is of a character such that it may be made in large quantities by mass production methods and that it may be pre-assembled before insertion into the rotatable plug of a gas valve. Furthermore, the assembly relative to the gas valve is a simple operation and can be accomplished readily and quickly.

The gas seal provided by the annular groove 86 and rolled-in portion 88 of the insert is a very effective seal whereby the leakage of gas `through the stem is substantially entirely eliminated. The construction, in effect, provides what may be termed a double seal. ,Y

While the present invention has been described in connection with the details of but a single embodiment thereof, it should be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of the invention, except in so far as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. An adjustable and preassembled valve unit for mounting in a passageway in a gas valve, including in combination, a tubular member having a radial opening therein and adapted to be secured in said gas valve, a valve member rotatably mounted in said tubular member and having structure cooperating with said opening for adl justing the gas ow therethrough, and means including an annular groove in one of said members, an annular portion in the other of said members tting therein, and a sealing medium conned in said groove and lling the space between said members for providing a gas seal between the members.

2. In a stem adjustment gas valve, the combination including, a rotatable valve plug having an axial passageway therethrough and a transverse passageway leading froml said axial passageway to the exterior of the plug, a tubular member insertable into said axial passageway and including a rst portion fixedly securing the member in said axial passageway in gas tight manner and a second portion comprising a tubular member, said valve member being short of one end of said tubular member and having its opposite end beyond the thin walled extension and terminating in an enlarged slotted portion accessible through said axial passageway to enable said valve member to be rotatably adjusted, and

means including an annular external groove in said valve member and a portion of the thin wall of said extension depressed into said groove for securing said tubular and valve members in gas tight manner.

3. In a stem adjustment gas valve, the combination including, a rotatable valve plug having an axial passageway therethrough and a transverse passageway leading from said axial passageway to the exterior of the plug, a tubular member mounted within said axial passageway andr including a first portion iixedly securing the memberin said axial passageway in gas tight manner and a second portion comprising a tubular thin walled extension from said first portion, said rst portion having a transverse passageway intermediate its end and communicating with said transverse passageway in the plug, and a valve member rotatably mounted in said tubular member for access through said axial passageway and including structure cooperating with said transverse passageway in said tubular member for adjusting the gas iiow through the latter upon rotation of the valve member, and means including an annular external groove in said valve member extension depressed into said groove for preventing leakage of gas between said tubular and valve members. l

6.' In a stem adjustment gas valve, the combination including, a rotatable valve plug having an axial passageway having large and small diameter portions and with an intermediate shoulder and a transverse passageway leading from said axial passageway to the exterior of the plug, a tubular member mounted within said axial passageway and including a rst and larger and a portion of the thin wall of said extension I depressed into said groove for preventing leakage of gas between said tubular and valve members.

4. In a stem adjustment gas valve, the combination including, a rotatable valve plug having an axial passageway therethrough and a transverse passageway leading from said axial passageway to the exterior of the plug, a tubular member mounted within said axial passageway and including a rst portion xedly securing the member in said axial passageway in gas tight manner and a second portion comprising a tubular thin walled extension from said first portion, said iirst portion having a transverse passageway intermediate its ends and communicating with said transverse kpassageway in the plug, and a valve member rotatably mounted in said tubular member for access through said axial passageway, said valve member including an open ended axial passageway at one end and a transverse passageway cooperating with said transverse passageway in said tubular member for adjusting the gas iiow through the latter upon rotation of the valve member, and means including an annular external groove in said valve member beyond the end of the axial passageway and a portion of the thin wall of said extension depressed into said groove for preventing leakage of gas between said4 tubular and valve members.

5, In a stem adjustment gas valve, the combination including, a rotatable valve plug having an axial passageway therethrough and a transverse passageway leading from said axial passageway to the exterior of the plug, a tubular member mounted within said axial passageway passageway open to said annular passageway, and

a valve member rotatably mounted in said tudiameter portion tting in the large diameter portion and abutting against said shoulder and xedly securing the member in said axial passageway in gas tight manner and a second portion comprising a tubular thin walled extension from said rst portion, said rst portion having a transverse passageway intermediate its ends and communicating with said transverse passageway in the plug, and a valve member rotatably mounted in said tubular member for access through said axial passageway and including structure cooperating with said transverse passageway in said tubular member for adjusting the gas ilow through the latter upon rotation of the valve member, and means including an annular external groove in said valve member and a portion of the thin wall of said extension ole-'- pressed into said groove for preventing leakage of gas between the tubular and valve members.

7. In a stem adjustment gas Valve, the combination including, a rotatable valve plug having an axial passageway therethrough and a transverse passageway leading from said axial passageway to the exterior of the plug, a tubular member mounted within said axial passageway and including a first portion xedly securing the member in said axial passageway in gas tight manner and a second portion comprising a tubular thin walled extension from said vlirst portion, said iirst portion having a transverse passageway 'intermediate its ends and communicating with said transverse passageway in the plug, and a valve member rotatably mounted in said tubular member for access through said axial passageway and including structure cooperating with said transverse passageway in said tubular member for adjusting the gas flow through the latter upon rotation of the valve member, and means including an annular external groove in said valve member, a portion of the thin wall of said extension depressed into said groove and sealing medium confined in said groove for preventing leakage of gas between said tubular and valve members.

8. An adjustable and preassembled valve unit for mounting in a passageway in a gas valve, including in combination, a tubular member dimensioned to t into the passageway and including a tubular thick walled portion and a tubular thin walled extension, said member having a transverse passageway therethrough intermediate its ends, a valve member rotatably mounted within said tubular member including structure cooperating with said transverse passageway for adjusting the gas low through the latter upon rotation of the valve member, and means includving an annular external groove in said valve member and an annular portion of the thin walled extension depressed into said groove for preventing leakage of gas between the tubular and valve members.

9. In a gas valve, the combination including,Y

structure defining a first passageway and a second passageway transverse to and opening into the rst, and an adjustable preassembled valve unit mounted within said first passageway, said valve unit including a tubular member having a radial gas passageway therethrough and mounted in said first passageway so as to providev communication between said radial gas passageway and said second passageway, a rotatable valve member mounted in said tubular member, said rotatable valve member having structure cooperating with said radial passageway to adjust the ow of gas therethrough, and means including an annular external groove on the valve member and a portion of the tubular member depressed into said groove for securing the tubular and valve members in relatively rotatable and gas tight relationship.

10. In a gas valve, the combination including, structure defining a first passageway and a second passageway transverse to and opening into the rst, and an adjustable preassembled valve unit mounted within said first passageway, said valve unit including a tubular member having a thicker portion and a thin-walled extension and a radial gas passageway intermediate the ends of said thicker portion, said member being mounted by a press fit in said rst passageway so as to provide communication between said radial gas passageway and said second passageway, a rotatable valve member mounted in said tubular member, said rotatable valve member having structure cooperating with said radial passageway to adjust thel ilow of gas therethrough, and means including an annular ex- .ternal groove on the valve member and an annumounted by a press t in said rst passageway so as to provide communication between said radial gas passageway and said second passageway, a rotatable valve member mounted in said tubular member, said rotatable valve member having structure cooperating with said-radial passageway to adjust the flow or" gas therethrough, and means including an annular external groove on the valve member, an annular portion of the thin-walled extension fitting into said groove and a sealing medium confined in said groove between said extension and valve member for securing the tubular and valve members in relatively rotatable and gas tight relationship.

12. In a gas valve, the combination including, structure dening a first passagewayv and a second passageway transverse to and opening into the rst, and an adjustable preassembled valve unit mounted within said rst passageway, said valve unit including a tubular member having a radial gas passageway therethrough and mounted in said first passageway so as to provide communication between said radial gas passageway and said second passageway, a rotatable valve member mounted in said tubular member, said rotatable valve member having structure cooperating with said radial passageway to adjust the flow of gas therethrough, and means including an annular groove on one of said valve and tubular members and an annular portion in the other of said members tting into said groove for securing the tubular and valve members in relatively rotatable and gas tight relationship.

VINCENT C'. PETERSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS France of 1894 

